2 June

Route: Capitol Reef NP

Heading out with no real plan we walked through the orchards. If one arrives during harvesting time, campers are able to pick fresh apples, peaches, apricots, pears and berries from the original orchards planted by the Mormon settlers, during the last century. Crossing the Fremont river a boardwalk offers good views of Petroglyphs. Petroglyphs being carved into the rock surface as opposed to painted on.

We followed the path, gaining ground rapidly. The sun blazed down, in stark contrast to the icy Bryce Canyon only 80 miles away. The sandstone mountain is strewn with round, black volcanic rock that was blasted into the surrounding hills, during previous eruptions.

Evidence of earlier habitation by the Fremont people, such as the foundations of a dwelling and a granary, tucked under an overhang, can be seen along the route. Finally, we arrive at the massive rock arch that spans 133 feet,125 feet above the valley floor, named The Hickman Bridge. We linger a while in the shade.............nature has so much beauty.

We continue, back down to the fast flowing Fremont River, we cross the road and up into the Cohab Canyons. The narrow path, once again, with spring blooms ablaze, climbs steeply. After about an hour, we enter a dry river wash, here the canyon sides have been eroded into holes, making it resemble Gouda cheese.

Side paths lead into narrow cracks in the mountain. We continue until the path takes a shape left turn, we have reach the edge of the Waterpocket Fold, a giant buckle in the earths crust, that stretches across S central Utah. We stand admiring the vertical cliff that soars into the sky.

Relatively recently a slab of the vertical face broke off, creating a huge tumble of rock that has cascaded down the mountain.

The final descent along a slippery switch backed path leads us to the campground and a hearty lunch in the shade of the Cottonwood trees.

Once again, we head to town for a $10 shower and seeing as we are in town, a double scoop of coffee ice cream!